Measles information for contacts of Tainui Kapa Haka event

This fact sheet is for those who were present or working at the Claudelands Event Centre in Hamilton for the Tainui Waka Cultural Trust Kapa Haka Festival on Saturday 16 April.

A new measles case has alerted us that they attended the Kapa Haka event while they were infectious, but before they became unwell. This means those attending the event who are not immune (see table below) are at risk of getting measles and passing it on to others.

What is a measles contact?

“Contacts” are people who shared the same air as someone while they were infectious with measles (for example, by being in the same room as someone with measles). If the infection is transferred and takes hold in contacts, these people go on to develop measles symptoms in 7 to 14 days after sharing the same air.

Many contacts will be immune to measles because of past measles infection or immunisation and will not get the disease. Other contacts who are not immune may catch the virus and may then go on to spread the virus to others.

What should you do?

Look out for the symptoms of measles for 14 days after the event (until the 30 April 2016). The first symptoms of measles are fever, runny nose, sore runny eyes and cough. The rash starts later.

If you/your child are not immune (see the table below), as a precaution, stay in home for 14 days after the event in isolation/quarantine – until the 30 April 2016. If you are unsure if you are immune or not, please call your GP to check your/your child’s records.

What does it mean to be in home isolation/quarantine?

People who are in quarantine should remain at home and away from school/work, group and social activities, sports and recreation events and public places such as cinemas, grocery stores and shopping malls for 14 days since their last contact with an infectious case of measles.

Having people in quarantine helps to limit the spread of measles.

If you/your child develop symptoms of measles:

Stay away from public places (such as school, child care, shopping centres, or public transport)

Do not turn up with someone who has symptoms of measles to the Emergency Department, after hour’s clinic or GP practice. Measles spreads very easily to others in waiting rooms and public places. Please phone ahead to alert them of you/your child’s symptoms and to allow them to make arrangements to assess you/your child safely and without infecting other people.

Take this fact sheet along when you have your appointment with a doctor.

Call Population Health on 07 8382569 or 0800 800 977.

You can also phone Healthline for advice on 0800 611 116.

Table: How do I know whether my child or I are immune?

Type of contact

Risk and action

Children aged under 15 months who have not yet had an MMR vaccine

Are not immune and are at risk of becoming sick with measles.

Need to remain in home isolation.

Are advised phone your GP to discuss vaccination.

Pregnant women who are not sure of their immunity

Are advised to take this letter to your GP.

Children who have not yet had any doses of MMR vaccine (normally MMR is given at 15 months and again at 4 years)

Are not immune and are at risk of becoming sick with measles.

Need to remain in home isolation.

Are advised phone your GP to discuss vaccination.

Children who have only had one dose of MMR

If aged under 4 years they may already be immune but require a second dose for full protection.

All should have their second dose as soon as possible. Once they have had the second dose, they can be considered to be immune, no longer at risk and can come out of home isolation.

Please take this letter to your GP or contact Population Health

Children and Adults who have had two doses documented of measles mumps rubella (MMR) vaccine

Are immune

No home isolation or further action is required

Adults born before 1969

Are considered to be immune

No home isolation or further action is required

Adults born from 1969–1991

95% of NZ born are thought to be immune.

If you do not have documented evidence of two doses of MMR, arrange to have an MMR. You are advised to take this letter to your GP. Once you have had a dose of MMR, you can come out of home isolation.